How you set up your artwork in Illustrator will affect the resulting SVG file. Keep in mind the following guidelines: Use layers to add structure to an SVG file. When you save artwork in SVG format, each layer is converted to a group (<g>) element. (For example, a layer named Button1 becomes <g id="Button1_ver3.0"> in the SVG file.) Nested layers become SVG nested groups, and hidden layers are preserved with the display="none" SVG styling property. If you want objects on different layers to appear transparent, adjust the opacity of each object instead of each layer. If you alter opacity at the layer level, the resulting SVG file will not display transparency as it appears in Illustrator. Raster data is not scalable in the SVG Viewer and cannot be edited like other SVG elements. If possible, avoid creating artwork that will be rasterized in the SVG file. Gradient meshes and objects that use the Rasterize, Artistic, Blur, Brush Strokes, Distort, Pixelate, Sharpen, Sketch, Stylize, Texture, and Video effects are rasterized when saved in SVG format. Similarly, graphic styles that include these effects also produce rasterization. Use SVG effects to add graphic effects without causing rasterization. Use symbols and simplify the paths in your artwork to improve SVG performance. Also avoid using brushes that produce a lot of path data, such as the Charcoal, Fire Ash, and Scroll Pen, if performance is a high priority.Use slices, image maps, and scripts to add web links to an SVG file. A scripting language, such as JavaScript, opens unlimited functionality to an SVG file. Pointer and keyboard movements can invoke scripting functions such as rollover effects. Scripts can also use the document object model (DOM) to access and modify the SVG file—inserting or deleting SVG elements, for example.

Inkscape is professional, free, open source Vector Graphics software.

basic beginners guide tutorial for new users to give you an introduction to GIMP to get you started

A tutorial of transforming any photo to a line art vector using Inkscape. Line art is easy to create with the help of Bazier Tool from Inkscape, Bazier Curves are precise in tracing and easy to work with. It is similar to the Pen Tool option of Illustrator.

Cut and erase artwork Transform your artwork by cutting and erasing content.

Transform artwork Learn how to transform artwork with the Selection tool, Transform panel, and various transform tools.

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